Run as if your husband was chasing you

[bitseybloom]

My husband has come to stay two weeks in France with me, and I've just done my W8R3 - the graduation 30 minutes run in my app. I took him to walk along with me, being certain that he'll keep up with my jogging pace. Big mistake, he was struggling. I, on the other hand, was having the best run so far. Succeeded to maintain a very consistent and slow pace, knowing that he's behind me, and didn't develop a side stitch until the very end.

Well, I'm very happy of course. I'm not consolidating now, I'm not good at it. I'm jumping straight into a 10k programme considering that its short runs at the beginning will take around 30 minutes, and for the long run once a week I'll do run/walk as the programme suggests it.

[Millsie-J Graduate]

If I responded to the title in your post I would be slowing down teehee........ I don’t mind Mr M catching me 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Well done on eight weeks of running. Don’t forget those new running legs still need lots of building, so maybe stay slow and steady for a while, which is why new runners are usually advised to consolidate before moving on.

Enjoy your ongoing journey.

[bitseybloom Graduate in reply to Millsie-J]

Thank you! I agree, I was actually meaning I've finally learned how to run slowly while trying to allow him to catch me That was also the simplest run by far.

[Razouski]

Well done in running for 30 minutes, what a great achievement. I would have a few weeks consolidating if I were you. If you push on to soon to the 10k programme you may risk injury. There's nothing more frustrating than being stuck on the ic .Now's a good time to just get out there and enjoy your 30 minute runs while building those running legs.

[bitseybloom Graduate in reply to Razouski]

Thank you! The 10k programme starts with 2.5 and 2 mile runs and then 3 miles run/walk, and I ran about 2.5 miles today, so didn't think it was something bad... is it?

[Hidden in reply to bitseybloom]

it’s not so much the starting distance as getting used to that distance being your ‘new normal’, so that you’re in good shape to stay the course on the 10k plan.

It’s not set in stone of course, because none of us know your relative physical condition and strength and you may be fine. I think we are all cautious,because we’ve read so many horror stories of fairly new graduates stretching themselves and coming a cropper with an injury.

As I understand it and there’s loads of stuff you can read about it on here and other running sites/blogs, it takes about a year to build your running legs and that is one of the reasons why ‘consolidation’ is considered so important - it’s like your running foundation stones.

If you’re driven by goals - maybe doing the speed/stamina podcasts recommended here would give you a ‘different’ challenge whilst still helping on the consolidation front. They come highly recommended.

Happy running

[bitseybloom Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for the explanation. Unfortunately yes, I'm driven by goals and not very keen of podcasts... And running for 30 minutes every time is boring, I'd prefer to have different runs. Maybe should look for another training plan.

[Hidden in reply to bitseybloom]

Hi - did you check out this post first of all -

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

This may give you a more professional guidance and some ideas than I can..

[bitseybloom Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I've read it, yes. I've thought again over your previous answer, and it made me realize that I don't actually want to progress that fast, it's not important. But I'm highly interested in a structured, complete and diverse training plan. I'm sure I'll be bored to death in two weeks running for 30 minutes every time. Unfortunately I just don't see so far any "consolidating training plan". They all are 5k, 10k, and so on...

[Hidden in reply to bitseybloom]

Aha got you - I’d do some Dr Googling and look wide and far, Unfortunately most plans seem to be focussed around known distances. But on some of the running apps, they do give you an option to create your own training plan - i.e. you input your wishes and it then gives a plan over time. I think to get that you have to pay for the ‘pro or mvp’ versions then.

So I use Map My Run and that has various pre-cooked plans but you can also create your own, but I had to upgrade and pay to get it. Things like Strava etc do the same. what about park run - would that give you a buzz? It’s not for everyone but some folk like the challenge and depending on where you are you can vary the park run locations and be a park run tourist.

I do stupid things to keep interest high - for instance I live in London and am currently running the Monopoly board. When that’s done I’m going to do all the Royal parks - that kind of thing... Ooh and zombie runs too our own ejvcruns swears by them...

happy hunting

[bitseybloom Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks a lot for helping me with that matter! I'll try and find something safe and entertaining now.

[Razouski in reply to bitseybloom]

I also kept things fresh by running different routes, and having a range of different playlists as I have a low boredom threshold. 30 minute runs in different parks or different country lanes can be fun. You can plot the routes in advance using mapmyrun or walkjogrun.net (?) so that you know where you’ll be going and how far.

Hope you find plenty to keep you going. 🤓

[bitseybloom Graduate in reply to Razouski]

I think you're right, these things can keep me going through a couple of weeks of consolidation...